Prototype MT4-S - Compact and flexible 4 liter case
- Thread starter CC Ricers
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What is the maximum thickness of the 2.5 drives you can have in the case?
I can imagine using an M.2 to U.2 adapter to move a nvme drive from behind the motherboard to somewhere you can keep it cool.
I can imagine using an M.2 to U.2 adapter to move a nvme drive from behind the motherboard to somewhere you can keep it cool.
Thanks for looking!
To be determined but in the current design you can fit up to 9mm thick drive in the front if you use a GPU shorter than 176mm. The side mount allows up to 8mm in space. Some 2.5" mechanical hard drives (not SSDs) that state 9mm are actually closer to 8mm thickness so you can just slide one in there as well.
I'm wondering if something like this ICY DOCK EZConvert MB705M2P-B would fit. It's 9.5mm.
Also would an FSP Flex Guru be able to fit?
Also would an FSP Flex Guru be able to fit?
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The Icy Dock should fit in the front no problem. So would the FSP Flex Guru.
The nice thing about the Flex Guru is that its 150mm length includes the modular cable area, meaning that the PSU internals are inside a shorter box.
Started doing some design work in Fusion 360 and here are some renders of what the case inside would look like with black powder coating, and clear anodizing.
Just a heads up- I have recently put my first prototype case on sale here. This case is the original one that uses 12mm cubes for the structure. It is in used condition but still very workable with mini ITX builds.
Also, I may also sell two of the frames shown in this post for an even lower price, just because of their imperfections, plus I don't have much use of them myself and are just taking up space. They might be of use of someone who wants to mod a cheap small case or just run an open air system.
Also, I may also sell two of the frames shown in this post for an even lower price, just because of their imperfections, plus I don't have much use of them myself and are just taking up space. They might be of use of someone who wants to mod a cheap small case or just run an open air system.
I'm considering a slimmer version design of this case for HTPC and light gaming and workstation builds that supports only 1-slot cards. This case would also have internal power supply support and is 84mm wide, which is the same width as the In Win Chopin.
Things have been more quiet with the project, but just a small update with the inner frame. The front supporting piece is now moved inwards instead of projecting outwards like before.
In this update, the frame is able to support itself using fewer screws (2 each have been removed in the top and the bottom) but also now there's no need for counter sunk holes on those corners since the outer panel won't need them to sit flush anymore.
Now it's possible to use button head screws on the frame without them getting in the way of the front panel. It's a subtle change, but it will make assembly much easier.
In this update, the frame is able to support itself using fewer screws (2 each have been removed in the top and the bottom) but also now there's no need for counter sunk holes on those corners since the outer panel won't need them to sit flush anymore.
Now it's possible to use button head screws on the frame without them getting in the way of the front panel. It's a subtle change, but it will make assembly much easier.
It's been one month later and I'm posting another update to give you the status of this case project.
For now I've downsized to Ryzen APU build for my main rig to go even more compact but I will still consider a discrete GPU rig in the future. In the meantime, for this project I will be revising the case structure's design.
First, the side join pieces that run from front to back will be made of thicker aluminum, at least 5mm. This makes screwing side panels easier, and instead of using additional standoffs, which complicates the assembly process. It also means fewer panels- no longer will the top and bottom sides require dual layering. I found it better to use more single layer side with thicker join pieces, than dual layer with thinner join pieces. Fewer pieces overall will need to be cut for each case.
The motherboard tray will be split into two smaller parts for the purpose of making PSU installation easier. I previously had thought of the idea of a tray that slides upwards to insert the PSU, but I thought the locking mechanism to keep it in place would complicate the design too much.
Also I'm moving more of my workflow to Fusion 360 again for the design of the case.
No longer able to make another prototype, I may want to crowdfund it. But that's a situation if push comes to shove.
For now I've downsized to Ryzen APU build for my main rig to go even more compact but I will still consider a discrete GPU rig in the future. In the meantime, for this project I will be revising the case structure's design.
First, the side join pieces that run from front to back will be made of thicker aluminum, at least 5mm. This makes screwing side panels easier, and instead of using additional standoffs, which complicates the assembly process. It also means fewer panels- no longer will the top and bottom sides require dual layering. I found it better to use more single layer side with thicker join pieces, than dual layer with thinner join pieces. Fewer pieces overall will need to be cut for each case.
The motherboard tray will be split into two smaller parts for the purpose of making PSU installation easier. I previously had thought of the idea of a tray that slides upwards to insert the PSU, but I thought the locking mechanism to keep it in place would complicate the design too much.
Also I'm moving more of my workflow to Fusion 360 again for the design of the case.
No longer able to make another prototype, I may want to crowdfund it. But that's a situation if push comes to shove.
It's been almost 2 years and I'm strongly considering to return to this case project.
Certainly more case options are out now for short sandwich builds, but hopefully I can still provide something that sets my product apart in some ways. And now that Sendcutsend offers sheet bending, this would greatly help in pushing to turn my project into a reality.
The past prototypes have been made out of flat pieces so designs are going to change. But it will retain the same sandwich layout (in some ways anyway- more on that later).
Certainly more case options are out now for short sandwich builds, but hopefully I can still provide something that sets my product apart in some ways. And now that Sendcutsend offers sheet bending, this would greatly help in pushing to turn my project into a reality.
The past prototypes have been made out of flat pieces so designs are going to change. But it will retain the same sandwich layout (in some ways anyway- more on that later).
Hey @CC Ricers, I'm revisiting the MT4-S that has been used occasionally for external storage and needs some attention.
I've posted elsewhere that I'm unhappy with the Flex ATX PSU I have and am sceptical that I can get a quiet one to replace it.
I was idly wondering about extending the original design to accept an SFX PSU. This would add approximately 50% to the volume if it was widened and increased in height for the SFX PSU to sit at the bottom of the case again. It would be and MT6-S I guess.
Similar to a Metalfish S3 Plus in size, as opposed to the MT4-S being similar to the S3, if I may.
I totally agree about your comment from last year about a change in construction. My friend who is an engineer suggested that a design with bends will be stronger and more practical than corner cubes.
If I had any CAD ability I would have a go, but this is way outside my expertise.
I have been really interested to see how your portable system has evolved, with lots of hard work and innovative thinking. Hats off to Framework by the way,
for doing good things on various levels.
I've posted elsewhere that I'm unhappy with the Flex ATX PSU I have and am sceptical that I can get a quiet one to replace it.
I was idly wondering about extending the original design to accept an SFX PSU. This would add approximately 50% to the volume if it was widened and increased in height for the SFX PSU to sit at the bottom of the case again. It would be and MT6-S I guess.
Similar to a Metalfish S3 Plus in size, as opposed to the MT4-S being similar to the S3, if I may.
I totally agree about your comment from last year about a change in construction. My friend who is an engineer suggested that a design with bends will be stronger and more practical than corner cubes.
If I had any CAD ability I would have a go, but this is way outside my expertise.
I have been really interested to see how your portable system has evolved, with lots of hard work and innovative thinking. Hats off to Framework by the way,
for doing good things on various levels.
Going with corner cubes or screw slots seems to work well enough for small cases, but I guess it depends on how the cases is going to be handled. Screw slots may not withstand strong vibrations long before coming more loose.
I have also considered a SFX compatible design with case bends. There aren't many short cases out there that use SFX power supplies. Only issue I have with joining sheets with screws is with the possible stripping of screw holes, for the panels that will be removed regularly. I'd have to go with steel to avoid that, or use self-clinching inserts. Sendcutsend is where I get my metal parts made and they don't do standoff inserts. Protocase does provide them, but they also have much higher up front costs.
Hey @CC Ricers , I've recently also become very interested in SFF PC's. In all of the cases I've seen so far, this one is my favorite. I'm and engineering student and I have extensive CNC experience and quite familiar with Fusion 360. I was wondering, are you still working on this project/do you still have the CAD files for it? I would love to help out with development on it. I'm happy to talk on discord also (I'm new to this forum).
Thanks for your interest in the case! This project has been on hold for over a year. I haven't been pushing to get enough interest in the case, and would need a minimum order quantity to finish it.
The designs are almost complete, just lacking the side and front panels in production. I still have the prototype frames so you'll need to create your own outer panels, or they can be used as an open air/open frame case. Don't think I need more help in finishing, but I do need to look for the source files again.
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